If nothing else, IDW’s Transformers vs. G.I. Joe series has certainly sparked a great deal of discussion both within the respective fandoms and without. Terms like “non-traditional”, “Kirby-esque”, and “whacked out” have all been used to describe the over-the-top exploits of two of Hasbro’s most successful in-house properties in a series that focused more on the visuals rather than on the depth of the story.

Writer/artist Tom Scioli sat down with Newsarama to discuss the series’ swan-song issue which drops on shelves this week. He also discusses the possibility of another potential follow-up story hitting shelves next year. It’s an interesting discussion that covers topics from story influences to evolving casts to the creative process. Even if you’re not a fan of his particular take on this shared universe, it’s still worth a read if for nothing more than to understand the creative influences on the book.

IDW Publishing, current holder of the G.I. Joe comic licence, made a lot of Joe fans happy when they completed the “Classic G.I. Joe” trade paperback series begun by Marvel Comics several years ago. In 15 volumes, IDW reprinted the entire 155 issues of the classic Marvel Comics G.I. Joe A Real American Hero comic series, giving many fans their first chance to buy reading copies of the entire classic run.

If you’d like to snag a copy to add to your collection, keep your eyes peeled around June 23, 2015 when Classic G.I. Joe vol 16 is scheduled for release. Or, if you’d like to pre-order it now (and help JBL in the process at not extra cost to yourself) consider using the Amazon affiliate link below.

Technically it began a few days ago but last night was package registration and souvenir purchasing at the store. In true Joe Con fashion, getting through the lines was a lot like the intended cruise on Gilligan’s Island – it was a 3 hour tour!

This year’s convention comic contains an introduction by new brand manager Mark Weber which offers some clarity as to the direction the brand will take in 2015.

The G.I. Joe 50th line will continue as a shared Toys R Us/BigBadToyStore.com line in the Fall of 2015. New product will be shown at the Hasbro booth this weekend. (PLEASE have Concept Case Gung-Ho!!!)

There will be a new SDCC 2015 G.I. Joe exclusive that will be sold at the SDCC with limited quantities to be available on HasbroToyShop.com later.

I’ve included scans below of both the cover and the intro page with the full introductions. Now it’s time to pack the car and head back down to Springfield for Joe Con 2015 day 2! (Really 1.5) Expect some souvenir pictures up on JBL within the next 24 hours as well as new Joe Con 2015 pictures this evening!

A number of years ago, Youtube user xgivanx sat down and “animated” the most famous issue of Larry Hama’s Marvel G.I. Joe run. It’s not as flashy as some of the more recent motion comics that Marvel has produced but this nine minute video is a fun way to revisit one of the most copied comic stories of all time. With the state of Joe being what it is anymore it’s doubtful that we’d ever get a real motion comic version so in the meantime this will have to suffice.

So sit back and enjoy a little lunchtime theater. It might help take the sting out of another Monday…

As the holiday season approaches, consumers everywhere are left with the dilemma of what to get for those friends and family members on their respective lists. Even more perplexing can be the question: “What do you get for the G.I. Joe fan on your holiday list?” Well, thanks to Joe fan and published author Mark Bellomo, this might have become a lot easier.

As of last night, Mark opened the floodgates and has listed a plethora of Joe-themed goodness up on internet auction site Ebay. However, what makes a lot of these items truly unique is that they are signed by the “godfather of G.I. Joe Larry Hama”– and many of them come from his private collection! In corresponding with Mark he’s revealed at even more items are coming– just keep an eye out on his eBay page for future updates.

Normally this type of news wouldn’t make the front page here at JBL but for a chance to own something truly unique– a piece signed by Larry Hama himself– well, we’ll make an exception.

Yet, as as they say in the infomercials: “But wait, there’s more!” There is something even cooler on Ebay as well– Larry Hama himself has listed the original cover sketch for IDW Publishing’s G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero #195! With just over a day remaining, here’s a great chance to own a real piece of G.I. Joe history with a piece that features Shockwave, Lady Jaye, and the ever-popular Roadblock!

Larry Hama is known as the “godfather of modern G.I. Joe”. A former soldier himself, this extremely talented writer conveyed a soldier’s perspective in his writing like few others could. No matter what the situation, readers of G.I. Joe always knew that Hama’s characters thought, felt, and acted like REAL people who were serving their country out of a sense of duty and honor– no matter what the cost. His writing inspired countless fans around the globe and has been cited by many as the reason they enlisted in the US Armed Forces. Mr. Hama didn’t glorify a soldier’s life– he presented it warts and all.

Now, Mr. Hama is doing something to “give back” to those who served but that bore the brunt of combat more than others. He’s auctioning off an original “Snake Eyes Homecoming” sketch— an homage to the flashbacks in Issue #36 of the original Marvel run– on Ebay with all proceeds from the sale to benefit the Wounded Warrior Project. Not only is this a change to own a one-of-a-kind piece of original Larry Hama artwork but more importantly it’s a chance to give something back to those who sacrificed their own well-being to protect ours.

Seriously guys, this is one of those moments where I’ll encourage everyone to “dig deep and give what they can.” If you can’t afford the sketch, make a donation to Wounded Warrior Project and help those who protect our freedoms and our liberties on a daily basis.

The guys at What’s On Joe Mind have released Episode 34 of their ongoing podcast series. Here’s the synopsis according to General Hawk:

It’s the G.I. Joe: Retaliation trailer episode! Initially we had planned to do a pretty light weight episode and work in a great interview with IDW’s John Barber, but then the whole G.I. Joe: Retaliation trailer launched and that kind of went out the window.

Oh don’t worry, we still spend some good time talking G.I. Joe comics with John Barber, but we also devote some attention to the awesome G.I. Joe: Retaliation trailer and manage to talk about some other G.I. Joe stuff as well. There’s a little of everything here!

Seriously– JBL has turned into “RobertAtkinsBattleLines” over the past week. In our proud tradition of talking up his work more than his own mother does, here’s the latest!

Robert’s posted another article at this blog entitled “Cobra Commander Wasn’t Built In A Day” which delves even further into the process of designing the armor and uniform for IDW’s newest Cobra Commander. For those of you who haven’t yet read G.I. Joe vol 2 #8 be forewarned– you’re going to know the Commander’s identity within the first sentences of the article. However, this is one of those unique chances to get inside the creative process for the design of Joe’s preeminent villain.

Okay, I’m starting to sound like a broken record here with all of the new IDW Cobra Commander love. However, if there’s one thing that can sell me on a new character design in a comic it is the caliber of the artist– and there are currently non better on Joe than Robert Atkins!

In his latest blog post, Robert deconstructs the process of creating the forthcoming Cobra Commander cover as well details exactly why the costume design turned out the way it did.

It’s a great “behind the scenes” look at the genesis of the design for Joe’s signature villain.

If you’ve been reading comics from IDW’s era of G.I. Joe then you’re most likely a fan of artist Robert Atkins. His artwork has graced the pages of the main Joe title in volume 1 and is currently dominating the action in the intriguing Snake Eyes solo series. It also turns out that he’s one of the minds behind the new design of Cobra Commander.

Over at his blog, Robert Atkins Art, he also unveils some awesome turnarounds of the Commander’s “new robes”. Check it out in his posting Cobra Commander Revealed! Also, be sure to check out G.I. Joe vol 2 #8 that’s hitting shelves today for the reveal on the identity of the new Cobra Commander!